Vehicle jack and assembly therefor

ABSTRACT

THIS DISCLOSED INVENTION IS A LIFTIN JACK FOR ATTACHMENT TO A BUMPER OF A VEHICLE FOR SAFELY LIFTING, FOR EXAMPLE, A WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE OFF THE GROUND. THE LIFTING JACK INCLUDES A VERTICALLY AND HORIZONTALLY ADJUSTABLE ASSEMBLY FOR SAFELY POSITIONING THE JACK RELATIVE TO THE VEHICLE BUMPER DURING LIFTING. IN AN EMBODIMENT, THE PRESENT INVENTION INCLUDES A HORIZONTALLY ADJUSTABLE ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN COMBINATION WITH AN AUTOMOBILE BUMPER JACK.

United States Patent inventors Rufus J. Weaver 13 East St.; Anthony J.Gaetano, New London, Conn. 06320 (98 Park Ave., Uncasville, Conn.

06382) Appl. No. 769,184 Filed on. 21, 1968 Patented June 28, 1971VEHICLE JACK AND ASSEMBLY THEREFOR 7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

u.s. Cl 254/85, 254/1 10 1nt.Cl 86613/08,

B66f 1/04 Field of Search 254/84, 85, 10s 1 1 1 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 730,329 6/1903 Wright 254/85 1.337.065 4/1920Garcia... 254/85 1,478,307 12/1923 Sykes 254/85 1,635,617 7/1927 Hall254/85 1,908,793 5/1933 Saeder 254/84 Primary ExaminerOthell M. SimpsonAssistant Examiner-David R. Melton AttorneySol B. Wiczer ABSTRACT: Thedisclosed invention is a lifting jack for attachment to a bumper of avehicle for safely lifting, for example, a wheel of the vehicle ofitheground. The lifting jack includes a vertically and horizontallyadjustable assembly for safely positioning the jack relative to thevehicle bumper during lifting. In an embodiment, the present inventionincludes a horizontally adjustable assembly for use in combination withan automobile bumper jack.

SHEET 10F 3 PATENTEI] JUN2 8 19?:

INVENTORQ RUFUS J WEAVER ANTHONY J. GAETANO B) ATTms PATENIEU JUN28|971SHEET 2 BF 3 FIG. 2

INVENTORS RUFUS J. WEAVER ANTHONY .1 GAETANO FIG. 3

PATENTED JUN28 1971 SHEET 3 BF 3 FIG. 7

/N l E N TOR;

J. WEA VER RUFUS ANTHONY J, GAETANO @Tksiw VEHICLE JACK AND ASSEMBLYTHEREFOR The present invention relates to a lifting jack and, moreparticularly, to a bumper jack including means for safely lifting, forexample, a wheel of a vehicle off the ground. In an embodiment, thepresent invention provides a horizontally adjustable assembly for use incombination with an automobile bumper jack.

Because automobiles have relatively long overhang from the axle, it hasbecome common to use a bumper jack for replacing a flat tire. This useis not wholly satisfactory because as jacking takes place the axlesprings relax and allow the wheel to remain on the ground until thebumper jack has been actuated to a very high jacking position. Underthese conditions there is considerable instability during the jacking-upoperation with atendency for the jack to tip relative to its groundfixed base. It has now been found that by the practice of the presentinvention, a horizontally adjustable assembly is provided whichovercomes the problem of jack tipping; provides a lifting jack forattachment to the bumper of a vehicle which includes means forvertically and horizontally adjusting the jack during the vehiclejacking-up operation; and to a method of using such a device.

Generally stated, the present invention provides a horizontallyadjustable assembly for use in combination with a lifting jack. Theassembly includes a base platfonn having an upper support positionedthereon for horizontal movement relative to the base platform. Means areincluded for horizontally moving the upper support relative to the baseplatform. The support desirably includes a lifting jack-receiving meansfor receiving either a base platform of a bumper jack or, a ratchet baror jack strut of such a jack. I

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a relatively simple andinexpensive assembly for use in combination with a bumper jack whichprevents tipping or pivotal movement with the ratchet bar of the jackrelative to its ground fixed base during the jacking-up operation. Byproviding a horizontally moveable support, the apparatus of the presentinvention retains the ratchet bar of a bumper jack in substantiallyvertical position at all times during the jacking-up operation.

The present invention will become more apparent from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein likereference numerals refer to similar elements.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating asequence of operations for the assembly of the present invention formoving a ratchet bar of a bumper jack from tilted to vertical positron;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the forward section of ahorizontally adjustable assembly for use in combination with a liftingjack;

FIG 3 is an exploded view taken in perspective of the ratchet assemblyfor positioning the horizontally adjustable assembly;

FIG. 4 illustrates the ratchet assembly of FIG. 3 taken as a perspectiveview;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view taken of the ratchet assembly of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a left side elevational view taken of the ratchet assembly ofFIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 illustrates the ratchet assembly with lever attachment duringpositioning of the horizontally adjustable assembly of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates horizontally adjustableassembly 10 having base platform 12, ground contacts 13, and drive shaft14 associated therewith. Drive shaft 14 positions horizontallyadjustable assembly 10 relative to base platform 12. The base platformis thus ground stationary relative to foundation 16. Horizontallyadjustable assembly 10 may include means 18 for receiving a lifiing jackassembly,

which means may be designed either to receive a foundation base of abumper jack, or, alternatively, may be designed to receive a ratchet baror jack strut of the jack, as desired. The horizontally adjustableassembly may include ratchet bar 20 firmly secured in position; althoughit is recognized for versatility that the ratchet bar may be readilydisengaged from lifting jack-receiving means 18.

Disposed on ratchet bar 20 is housing 22 preferably formed from a pairof sheet metal plates. Mounted within housing 22 is a suitableload-lifting mechanism such as one including a pair of pawls 24 and 26which are interconnected by springs 28. Also mounted on housing 22 isactuating arm 30 which is pivoted on housing 22 about the axis of pin32. One end of each pawl 24 and 26 is pivotally connected to arm 30 suchas at pivotal points 34 and 36 respectively, while the other end of eachpawl contacts teeth 38 of ratchet bar 20.

When the load-lifting mechanism is inthe position shown in FIG. 1,housing 22 is moved downwardly along ratchet bar 20 by a lever arm, notshown, positioned to upwardly and downwardly pivot actuating arm 30.When it is desired to raise housing 22 on ratchet bar 20, spring 28 isurged to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1, by means of arm 40 whichreverses the sequence of operation of pawls 24 and 26.

Further illustrated in FIG. 1 is bumper 41 positioned in load support 42pivotally mounted to housing 22 by pivot pin 44. Desirably, roller 46which contacts one side of ratchet bar 20 is included to facilitate easymovement of housing 22 along ratchet bar 20 when a load is positioned onload support 42. Roller 46 is disposed on the same side of the ratchetbar as is pivot pin 44, and preferably is located substantiallyvertically beneath the pivot pin. Thus, when a load is positioned onload support 42, a weight force is transmitted to housing 22 in a mannerwhich tends to rotate the housing about the pawls in a counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG. I, so that a substantial portion of theload is applied directly to ratchet bar 20 by roller 46.

During the jacking-up operation, load support 42 may receive the bumperof a vehicle with the ratchet bar 20 being positioned such asillustrated by position 48. By rotating assembly drive shaft 14, asdescribed hereinafter, horizontally adjustable assembly 18 may beadvanced to the position 50 for ratchet bar 20. If, for any reason,ratchet bar 20 occupies position 52, drive shaft M may be counterrotatedto return the ratchet bar to position 50 for normal substantiallyvertical lifting of a load. It may be thus recognized that operation ofthe unit illustrated in FIG. I effectively corrects tilting of a liftingjack during the lifting operation by means of a horizontally adjustableassembly.

FIG. 2 illustrates horizontally adjustable assembly 10 in greaterdetail. Disposed on base platform 12 is a series of verticallypositioned rails 54 which serve as runners for upper support 56 of thehorizontally adjustable assembly 10. Drive shaft 14 appearing as a screwwhich rotates in bolt 57 fixed as part of the upper support positionsthe upper support horizontally, as desired. Bolt 57 is secured to frame58 which is suitably attached to upper support 56. If desired a driveshaft receiving tube 60 may be included to receive the drive shaft whenthe upper support is positioned to the right of that illustrated in FIG.2.

Rails 54 appear as inverted T-members having a bearing surface toreceive a substantially L-shaped side 62 of upper support 56.Conveniently disposed on upper support 56 is ratchet bar receiving block64 for receiving the ratchet bar of a bumper jack. The ratchet bar of abumper jack may be received within a conveniently provided slot 66.Alternatively,

suitable clamping means 68 may be included on upper support.

56 for clamping the base which supports a ratchet bar of a bumper jackassembly, in which case block 64 may be removed or positioned such toprovide for receipt of the ratchet bar. It is apparent from FIG. 2 thatas shaft 14 rotates, linear forces on bolt 57 horizontally adjustassembly 56 in any relative position to fixed base 12, as desired.Although it is preferred that rotatable drive assembly 14 be used forhorizontally positioning upper support 56 relative to base 12, it isrecognized that other means may be employed for horizontally adjustingthe upper support as desired. One useful means which may be employed asa horizontal drive is that disclosed by Hunz in US. Pat. No. 2,463,772,wherein a ratchet bar which supports a carriage or pawl mechanism isdisclosed positionable longitudinally along the bar by pawls containedwithin a housing and actuated by a lever. Various other means,mechanical, hydraulic, or the like, may be employed to horizontallyposition support 56 relative to base 12 of the apparatus of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the several element forming the ratchetassembly illustrated further in FIG. 41. The ratchet assembly includessupport member 68 having rocker support 70 and pin 72 for holdingpositioning lever 74 by means of hole 76. Screwcap 78 may be secured topin 72 conveniently as desired. Bushing 80 is received within slot 83 ofsupport 68 and may receive drive shaft 14 fixed to drive wheel 82. Cap843 may be secured to bushing if desired.

Rotation of wheel 82 rotates drive shaft M in either a clockwise orcounterclockwise direction for positioning horizontally adjustableassembly 10. Wheel 32 fixed to drive shaft 16 may be driven by ratchetassembly 86 having lever receiving tube 88 disposed at one end thereoffor movement in one direction; and by lever-removing tube 90 oppositelydisposed relative to drive wheel 82 for movement in an oppositedirection. Lever-receiving tubes 88 and 90 are secured to frame 92having conveniently removed from a portion thereof, central slot 94,such that movement of positioning lever 74 permits the ratchet assemblyto move into engaging and disengaging position for drive wheel 82, foreither clockwise or counterclockwise rotation thereof by movement oflevers introduced within tubes 88 and 90, respectively. Near one end ofratchet assembly 86 is desirably included pawl 96 engaged by spring 98and supported positioned by pin 100 through hole 101 within theassembly. Pawl 96 is spring biased to permit return without causingwheel 82 to move, whereas in positive gripping position wheel-grippingsurface 102 positively turns wheel 82 in a counterclockwise direction.Oppositely disposed to pawl 96 is pawl 104 also including wheel drivesurface 106, and having spring 108 for biasing the same in similarfashion to pawl 96. Pin 110 supports pawl 104 within provided hole 111of the ratchet assembly.

Ratchet assembly 86 may be moved into wheel-engaging position forclockwise or counterclockwise rotation by positioning lever selector pin112, secured to plate 114 integral with element 92 of ratchet bar 86.Positioning lever selector pin 112 is moved into position by providedarcuate slot 116 at lever 74. Pin 112 may be secured, if desired, inposition in the arcuate slot by screwcap 118. Other means may beincluded for positioning pin 112 within provided arcuate slot 116, ifdesired.

Movement of selector lever 74 in the direction of arrow 120 causes aresultant movement of ratchet 86 in the direction of arrow 122. Countermovement of selector 74 to that of arrow 120 causes a counter movementof ratchet bar 86 to that of arrow 122. Thus, wheel drive surface 106 ofpawl 104 may engage wheel 82 upon movement in the direction of arrow 122when selector 74 is moved in the direction of arrow 120. Movementcontrary to arrow 122 permits wheel drive surface 102 ofpawl 96 toengage wheel 82.

FIG. 4 illustrates the position occupied by the elements of FIG. 3 whenselector 74 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow 120, such thatpawl 104 engages drive wheel 82 by wheel drive surface 106. It is thusapparent that upon engagement of wheel 82 by pawl 104, pawl 96 isremoved from engagement position of wheel 82 and vice versa.

FIGS. and 6 further illustrate the combination of elements of FIG. 4with FIG. 5 being taken as a rear elevational view of the ratchetassembly of P16. 4 and FIG. 6 taken as a left side elevational view ofthe assembly of F IG. 5. The assembly illustrated in F108. 5 and 6 isthat of normal, locked, nonoperating position wherein pin 112 is lockedintermediate the arcuate slot of selector 7%.

FIG. 7 further illustrates the ratchet assembly taken as an elevationalview with positioning lever 74 positioned such that pawl 104i is inpositive, engaging position with drive wheel 82 for rotation about theaxis of bushing 84 in a counterclockwise fashion when lever 124 ispumped upwardly and downwardly. Lever 124 may be removed for positioningin lever-receiving tube 88 for opposite rotation when position lever 74is moved from the position illustrated in FIG. 7 to the converseposition in arcuate slot 116. If desired, modified U-shaped bracket 126may be included to provide a housing for receiving positioning lever 74.

it will be apparent from the foregoing that when a horizontallyadjustable assembly is actuated, the operator is positioned away fromthe jack to prevent danger in the event of slippage or tilting of thevehicle during jacking. The present horizontally adjustable assemblyrequires that the operator be positioned to the side of the bumper jack,thus putting him outside of danger in the event of slippage. Thus, notonly does the present invention provide a safety factor in correctingany tilting of the ratchet bar which may result during the jackingupoperation, but it also provides an added safety factor by removing theoperator from the area of the bumper jack during the ratchet bar tiltingcorrection operation.

The various elements of the present apparatus, unless otherwiseindicated, may be secured to adjoining elements by any suitable meanssuch as bolts, welding, rivets or the like. In addition, auxiliarysupport or reinforcement members may be also included as part of theapparatus where required.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustratedherein, it is to be understood that various changes and modificationsmay be made in the construction and arrangement of elements withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of this invention.

We claim:

1. A jack assembly for attachment to a bumper of a vehicle for safelylifting the vehicle off the ground, said jack assembly comprising incombination:

a. a base platform;

b. an upper support positioned for horizontal movement relative to saidbase platform;

c. means for horizontally moving said upper support;

(1. a lifting jack receiving means disposed on said upper support forpivotally and removably receiving a ratchet bar ofa bumper jack;

e. a vertically adjustable housing disposed on said ratchet bar;

f. a pivotal bumper-engaging member attached to said verticallyadjustable housing;

g. said lifting jack receiving means and said pivotal bumperengagingmember permitting vertical and horizontal adjustments for safelypositioning the jack relative to the bumper during lifting.

2. The jack assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the upper support ispositioned for horizontal movement on vertically disposed railspositioned on said base platform.

3. The jack assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said lifting jackreceiving means receives a base platform of a bumper jack.

4. The jack assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said lifting jackreceiving means receives a ratchet bar of a bumper jack.

5. The jack assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said means forhorizontally moving said upper support is by a ratchet-operated wheel,said wheel driving a threaded shaft for moving said adjustable assembly.

6. The jack assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said threaded shaftis fixed to and projects from near the center of rotation of saidratchet-operated wheel.

7.-The jack assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein a selector isincluded for locked, clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of saidratchet-operated wheel.

